Are you struggling to figure out how best to protect your devices from a phishing scam or some other sophisticated cyber attack? Confused about which endpoint protection platform is the right one for your company?
You may have heard various acronyms being used to describe different endpoint protection platforms available to protect the devices across your IT network: EDR, XDR, and MDR.
If you’re like many businesses, you’re probably wondering what they all mean and how they can help your business.
Each of them refers to a type of cybersecurity solution that companies are increasingly using to better protect their valuable hardware in today’s virtual IT landscape.
After reading this article, you will understand the differences between an endpoint detection and response plan (EDR), an extended detection and response plan (XDR), and a managed detection and response plan (MDR).
With this information, you will then be able to determine which is the right solution for your business and cybersecurity needs.
Let’s back up a minute. For starters, an endpoint protection platform (EPP), or simply endpoint protection, is a broad cybersecurity approach to defend your company’s endpoints—such as your desktops, laptops, cell phones, printers, and routers—from cyber threats.
It uses automated tools to detect, block, and remediate security threats originating from your endpoints, or devices.
An EDR, XDR, and MDR all fall under the umbrella of endpoint protection, which should be a staple in your IT security framework.
With today’s hybrid and remote work models, rather than connecting to a traditional on-premises server room, users can access files, systems, applications, and other data across your network that's in the cloud or online from anywhere, at any time.
Many cyber attacks today, however, start at the devices. Hackers rely on individuals to make a mistake in order to find a backdoor opening into your computer systems from the user’s device.
These malicious actors deploy ransomware attacks and other malware, usually through some type of phishing scam that tricks unsuspecting users into clicking a malicious link or open an infected email.
Since most ransomware attacks are the result of human error, it has become critically important for companies to shore up their endpoint security to protect their IT environment from cyber criminals looking to steal or compromise your sensitive data.
An EDR is a security system designed to quickly detect and respond to cyber threats at your endpoints. Rather than the old method of reacting to a data breach, an EDR works to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Related Article: How An Endpoint Detection And Response System Can Stop A Cyber Attack
Tools such as antivirus and anti-malware software, along with next generation firewalls, can be an effective part of your EDR security strategy.
However, an EDR goes well beyond antivirus and anti-malware software. It continuously scans your IT landscape to monitor and store traffic from your endpoints, servers, firewalls, emails, networks, and other systems in real-time, regardless of whether it's on premises, online, or in the cloud.
An EDR system can then analyze the data to spot abnormalities. Once unusual activity is detected, it can isolate the suspected threat, send an alert, and provide remediation suggestions.An extended detection and response plan essentially levels up your EDR. It harnesses artificial intelligence to provide an even greater defense against cyber threats.
While XDR has the same functions as an EDR, an XDR uses AI-powered automated controls and analysis to provide advanced, 24/7 monitoring of your IT infrastructure. It uses machine learning to digest vast amounts of data across your network and study behavior patterns.
Besides being able to immediately spot anomalies, it can also proactively hunt for malicious actors from within or outside your network. Your XDR system can then send alerts to your security operations center (SOC) whenever potential threats are detected.
Automated threat response within an XDR solution allows it to block an endpoint or take other remediation steps to prevent the threat from spreading across your network. This also cuts down on alert fatigue.
An XDR is also useful for data storage since it keeps a complete record of breaches and responses. This allows your security team to study the scope of each incident and determine an appropriate response. Your incident response history can also be used to guide future responses.
Because of its machine learning and behavior analysis, an XDR solution can drastically improve threat detection to help you safeguard your IT infrastructure.
With a cloud-based XDR, your in-house cybersecurity staff or managed IT partner can spend less time putting out fires and be able to prioritize and respond more efficiently to suspected cyber incidents.
An MDR combines the benefits of AI tools within XDR platforms with the expertise of cybersecurity specialists to ensure 24/7 monitoring of your networks, endpoints, and cloud environments.
You may be like many other small and medium-sized businesses and not have a cybersecurity professional on staff.
A cybersecurity expert can use their extensive knowledge and discretion to help make informed decisions about suspicious activity that is flagged by the endpoint protection system.
In this way, a managed endpoint detection and response plan offers a two-pronged approach: combining human experts and automated response controls to protect your IT network from a ransomware attack or other cyber incident.
So, an MDR plan can optimize your security tools by leveraging human know-how, advanced analytics, and machine learning algorithms to stop potential cyber attacks in their tracks before they can damage your critical IT infrastructure.
After reading this article, you now understand the key differences between the three different types of endpoint protection technologies.
You may already have a team of cybersecurity specialists to handle your security needs. But if not, you may be considering hiring a managed IT services provider to ensure that your IT infrastructure is protected with the most up-to-date security controls you need to keep your sensitive data safe.
Regardless of the endpoint security system you choose, it’s important that your plan be tailored to address your specific pain points to meet your business needs.
Have you already done an audit of your IT environment? Do you know what security systems you currently have in place to protect your valuable assets?
If you’re looking for additional cybersecurity solutions beyond what you currently have, or you're perhaps looking to upgrade to security software that includes the latest AI capabilities, an MSP can assess your overall security landscape, identify gaps, and structure a customized cybersecurity plan.
We know managed IT support isn’t right for every organization. We publish articles like this one so that business leaders like you have the information you need to determine the best solutions to keep your data and infrastructure safe.
Read this article to find out more about how managed IT can help businesses like yours:
Related Article: Is Managed IT Support A Good Solution for Small & Medium Businesses?
If you find yourself wondering whether your organization’s security tools are up to the latest cyber threats, click the link below for a free checklist you can use to:
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